Pentanitrogen(1+)cation and salt containing the same

ABSTRACT

A homoleptic polynitrogen ion and salts thereof are described as being highly exothermic in nature and thus give rise to compounds useful for propulsion and explosive applications, among others. Also described are processes for the macroscopic production of compounds containing homoleptic polynitrogen.

This invention was made with Government support under Contract No. F04611-93-C-0005 awarded by the Department of the Air Force. The Government has certain rights in this invention.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to methods of synthesizing pentanitrogen(1+)cations to salts and other compounds made from pentanitrogen(1+)cation and methods of producing the salts and other compounds therefrom.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Polynitrogen compounds are of significant interest as high energy density materials (HEDM), particularly for propulsion or explosive applications. In spite of numerous theoretical studies predicting that certain all-nitrogen compounds might be stable, to date, experimental studies aimed at their actual synthesis have been unsuccessful.

Presently, only two homoleptic polynitrogen species are known which can be prepared on a macroscopic scale: dinitrogen, N₂, which was independently isolated in pure form from air in 1772 by Rutherford, Scheele, and Cavendish; and the azide anion, N₃ ⁻, discovered in 1890 by Curtius. Other species, such as N₃., N₃ ⁺, and N₄ ⁺ have been observed only as free gaseous or matrix-isolated ions or radicals. In spite of the extensive theoretical studies hypothecating that species such as N₄ (T_(d)), N₈, (O_(h)), N(N₃)₂ ⁻, N(N₃)₃, and N(N₃)₄ ⁺, and N₅ ⁺ (Prykko and Runeberg, T. Mol. Struct. Trichem 1991, 234, 279) are vibrationally stable, the lack of a single successful synthesis of a new species on a macroscopic scale is surprising and may reflect the great experimental difficulties resulting from their high endothermicities, which give rise to instability and unpredictable explosiveness.

The high energy content of polynitrogen candidates stems, at least in part, from the N—N single and double bonds they possess, with average bond energies of 38.2 and 99.9 kcal/mol, respectively. These bond energies are significantly less than the N₂ triple bond energy of 228 kal/mol. Therefore, any transformation of a polynitrogen compound to N₂ molecules is accompanied by a very large energy release and any new metastable polynitrogen compound will be isolable and manageable only if it possesses a sufficiently large energy barrier to decomposition.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to the synthesis of catenated polynitrogen species, particularly the pentanitrogen (1+).

As a result of our synthesis of the pentanitrogen (1+) cation, otherwise referred to herein as N₅ ⁺, we have further synthesized and characterized N₅ ⁺AsF₆ ⁻ and N₅ ⁺SbF₆ ⁻, which constitute only the third known compounds containing a homoleptic polynitrogen moiety that is preparable on a macroscopic scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates the optimized geometries of N₅+ calculated at the B3LYP/ and CCSD(T)/6-311+G(2d) levels of theory wherein the values given in parentheses are the B3LYP values;

FIG. 2 illustrates the nitrogen NMR data for an equimolar mixture of singly ¹⁵N-labeled [¹⁵N¹⁴N¹⁴N¹⁴N¹⁴N]⁺ and [¹⁴N¹⁴N¹⁵N¹⁴N¹⁴N]⁺AsF₆ ⁻ recorded at −63° C. in anhydrous HF solution that was acidified with 2 mol % AsF₅;

FIG. 3 illustrates a low temperature Raman spectrum of unlabeled solid N₅ ⁺AsF₆ ⁻;

FIG. 4 illustrates a low temperature Raman spectrum of an equimolar mixture of solid [¹⁵N¹⁴N¹⁴N¹⁴N¹⁴N]₊ and [¹⁴N¹⁴N¹⁵N¹⁴N¹⁴N]⁺AsF₆ ⁻;

FIG. 5 illustrates as Table I both the observed and calculated nitrogen NMR data for N₅ ⁺;

FIG. 6 illustrates as Table II low temperature Raman and infrared spectra of solid ¹⁴N₅ ⁺AsF₆ ⁻ and their assignments compared to the calculated values;

FIG. 7 illustrates in a table format a comparison of the calculated B3LYP and observed ¹⁵N isotopic shifts for N₅ ⁺; and

FIG. 8 illustrates in a table format results from the normal coordinate analysis of N₅ ⁺.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Theoretical calculations were used to predict whether the candidate N₅ ⁺ is vibrationally stable and spectroscopic properties (for example, infrared, Raman and NMR) were calculated to aid in the identification and characterization. For N₅ ⁺ these calculations predict the stable C_(2v) structure depicted in FIG. 1.

To carry out one synthesis process of the present invention, energetic starting materials that already possess the energy enhancing weakened bonds, the required formal charges and suitable ligands that allow for an exothermic and facile coupling reaction of the starting materials are utilized. Since the subject of the present invention is the N₅ ⁺ cation, the presence of a formal positive charge in one of the starting materials is very important in view of the high first ionization potential of N₂ (359 kcal/mol). The following reaction scheme demonstrates why the N₂F+cation and HN₃ are ideal starting materials for the synthesis of N₅ ⁺ because they already possess the desired types of bonds, N₂F⁺ provides the formal positive charge and in view of the weak N—F and strong H—F bond, the H—F elimination reaction is exothermic.

Also required is a reaction medium that offers a good solubility at low temperatures, can act as a heat sink for exothermic reactions and can stabilize a product that is potentially shock sensitive. As such, anhydrous HF was chosen because of its high dipole moment, low melting point (−80° C.) and high volatility.

Application of these principles led to the synthesis of N₅+according to the following reaction scheme:

A small excess of HN₃ was used to ensure complete conversion of the N₂F⁺AsF₆ ⁻. The only detectable by-product was less than 20 mol % of protonated HN₃, formed according to

The AsF₅ required for the protonation of HN₃ to proceed could have formed by decomposition of some N₅ ⁺, or less likely, by hydrolysis of N₅ ⁺, with traces of water in the system.

4N₅+AsF₆ ⁻+2H₂O→4HF+4AsF₅+10N₂+O₂

For the synthesis of ¹⁵N-labeled N₅ ⁺, ¹⁵N-labeled HN₃ was prepared from stearic acid and ¹⁵N-labeled Na⁺N₃ ⁻.

The reaction of labeled HN₃ with N₂F⁺AsF₆ ⁻ produced a roughly equimolar mixture of N₅ ⁺ with N* in either the 1 or 3 positions, as shown below.

The N₅ ⁺AsF₆ ⁻ product obtained by the foregoing reaction is a white solid that is sparingly soluble in anhydrous HF. It is marginally stable at 22° C. and can be stored for weeks at −78° C. without noticeable decomposition. It can be handled both in HF solution or as a solid and is not prone to exploding during careful normal handling. It is a powerful oxidizer, capable of igniting organic substances such as foam rubber even at low temperatures. It is important to note that the reaction of N₂F⁺AsF₆ ⁻ with water is violently explosive and should be avoided.

While the first ionization potential of N₅ or the electron affinity of N₅ ⁺ was not calculated because of the difficulty of finding a meaningful geometry for N₅, which corresponds closely to that of N₅ ⁺, the high energy density of N₅ ⁺ was confirmed by a calculation using the G₂ method that gave formation enthalpies of ΔHf=353 and ΔHf²⁹⁸=351 kcal/mol for free gaseous N₅ ⁺.

Solid ¹⁵N-labeled N₅ ⁺AsF₆ ⁻ in a 3 mm quartz tube was warmed in a stepwise manner from −78 to +22° C. under a vacuum of 10⁻⁷ torr while monitoring the volatile products with a mass spectrometer; the principal decomposition product detected was N₂. After pumping at 22° C. for 20 minutes, however, most of the solid remained and was identified by low temperature Raman spectroscopy as N₅ ⁺AsF₆ ⁻, thus demonstrating that the compound has a reasonable lifetime at room temperature. In samples prepared from an excess of HN₃ and containing some H₂N₃+as a by-product, HN₃ and its fragments, HF and AsF₅ were also observed in the mass spectra.

The ¹⁴N and ¹⁵N NMR spectra of N₅ ⁺, labeled in either the 1 or 3 position, and the ¹⁴N NMR spectrum of unlabeled N₅ ⁺ were recorded at −63° C. in anhydrous HF solution that was acidified with about 2 mol % of AsF₅ to slow down a potential exchange between the cation and the solvent. The spectra of the ¹⁵N-labeled mixture are shown in FIG. 2 and the observed and calculated chemical shifts are compared in FIG. 5.

The signals due to N1 and N3 were observable in the ¹⁵N spectrum at δ=−237.3 and −100.4 ppm, respectively, which corresponds closely with the calculated values of −235 and −95 ppm. The signal to noise ratio of the ¹⁵N spectrum was low due to the poor solubility of N₅ ⁺AsF₆ ⁻ in HF at −64° C. and the long delay of 60 sec which was needed because of the slow relaxation rates. The area ratio of the two signals was about 1:1, indicating that the synthesis of HN₃ from end labeled N₃ ⁻ and stearic acid had resulted in about equimolar quantities of N_(α−) and N_({overscore (γ)}) -labeled HN₃. In addition to the two N₅ ⁺ signals two weaker signals at δ=−312.0 (tr with ¹J₁H—¹⁵N=100.7 Hz) and −114.4 (s), ppm were observed in the hydrogen-coupled spectrum that are attributable to N_(α) and N_({overscore (γ)}) respectively, of [H₂N_(α)N_(β)N_({overscore (γ)})]⁺. This was verified by recording the spectrum of a known sample of H₂N₃ ⁺AsF₆ ⁻ in HF solution.

In the ¹⁴N spectrum of labeled and unlabeled N₅ ⁺AsF₆ ⁻, a single resonance at γ=−165.3 ppm was observed and assigned to N2 of N₅ ⁺ based on the calculated value of −166 ppm. The signals due to N1 and N3 could not be observed in the ¹⁴N spectra under these conditions due to excessive quadrupole broadening. The N_(β) signal of [H₂N_(α)N_(β)N_({overscore (γ)})]⁺ was also observable in the ¹⁴N spectra of the labeled and unlabeled cations as a sharp resonance at δ=−162.5 ppm, while N_(α) and N_(β) were strongly quadrupole broadened. Since the N2 atom of N₅ ⁺ gives rise to a sharp ¹⁴N signal and since the single ¹⁵N substitution provided us with an equal mixture of ¹⁵N labels on N1 and N3, unambiguous observation of all three signals of N₅ ⁺ was possible. Their excellent agreement with the calculated values provides verification for the presence of a C_(2v) symmetry N₅ ⁺ cation.

Additional unambiguous proof for the presence of C_(2v)—N₅ ⁺ was provided by the vibrational spectra of N₅ ⁺AsF₆ ⁻ and the N—N isotopic shifts, observed for the mixture of N1 and N3 N-labeled N₅ ⁺AsF₆ ⁻. The low temperature Raman spectra of unlabeled and a mixture of N1- and N3-labeled N₅ ⁺AsF₆ ⁻ are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, respectively, and the observed frequencies are summarized in FIGS. 6 and 7. The vibrational assignments for octahedral AsF₆ ⁻ in FIG. 6 are well established and do not require any further discussion; those for N₅ ⁺ are based on our calculations. As can be seen, the four N—N stretching modes were observed with the predicted frequencies and intensities.

The spectra of N1- and N3-labeled N₅ ⁺ allowed accurate measurements of the isotopic shifts for modes v₂(A₁), v₇(B₂) and V₁(A₁). Again, the agreement between experiment and theory is very good and confirms the validity of the predicted structure given in FIG. 1. Since the observed frequencies of N₅ ⁺ are intermediate between those predicted at the CCSD(T) and the B3LYP levels of calculation, the actual geometry of N₅ ⁺ is likely to be intermediate between the CCSD(T) and B3LYP values of FIG. 1. Therefore, the following geometry is interpolated for [N1-N2-N3-N2-N1]⁺: r(N1-N2)=1.11 Å, r(N2-N3)=1.315 Å, ∠(N1-N2-N3)=166.6°, and ∠(N2-N3-N2)=110.3°.

The results from a normal coordinate analysis of N₅ ⁺ are summarized in FIG. 8. They show that the A₂, B₁ and B₂ vibrations and v₁(A₁) are all highly characteristic, but that v₂(A₁) is a mixture of stretches and bends.

The internal force constants of greatest interest are the stretching force constants f_(r) and f_(R) of the terminal and the central N—N bonds, respectively. Interpolation of the data in FIG. 8 and adjustments for the observed frequencies give values of 20.08 and 6.59 mdyn/Å for the terminal and the central N—N stretching force constants, respectively. The former value is significantly lower than the 22.4 mdyn/Å found for the N═N triple bond in N₂, whereas the latter value is between those found for typical N—N single (f_(N—N)=3.6 mdyn/Å) and N═N double (f_(N—N)=10.2 mdyn/Å) bonds. The strengthening of the N—N central bonds at the expense of the terminal bonds, as suggested by its resonance structures, explains the relative stability of N₅ ⁺ toward N₂ elimination.

The following examples are given to illustrate the method of the present invention and should not be construed in limitation thereof.

EXAMPLE 1

N₂F⁺AsF₆ ⁻ (1.97 mmol) was loaded in the drybox into a 0.75 inch outer diameter Teflon FEP ampule that was closed by a stainless steel valve. On the metal vacuum line, anhydrous HF(˜3 mL) was added at −196° C. and the was warmed to room temperature to dissolve the N₂F⁺AsF₆ ⁻. The ampule was connected to the glass line and HN₃ (2.39 mmol) was added at −196° C. The ampule was reconnected to the metal line and allowed to warm to −78° C., where it was kept for three days with occasional gentle agitation. The ampule was then cooled to −196° C. to check for the presence of volatile products. Nitrogen (0.76 mmol) was identified by mass spectroscopy. All material volatile at −64° C. was pumped off for 8 hours leaving behind a white solid residue that was identified by low temperature vibrational and ¹⁴N/¹⁵N NMR spectroscopy as a mixture of N₅ ⁺AsF₆ ⁻ (−80 mol %) and H₂N₃ ⁺AsF₆ ⁻(˜20 mol %).

EXAMPLE 2

N₅ ⁺SbF₆ ⁻ was prepared in an analogous manner from N₂ ⁺SbF₆ ⁻ and HN₃ in anhydrous HF solution. The N₅ ⁺SbF₈ ⁻ salt is a white solid which is stable at room temperature and exhibits the same spectroscopic features characteristic for N₅ ⁺, as N₅ ⁺AsF₆ ⁻.

EXAMPLE 3

¹⁵N-labeled N₅ ⁺AsF₆ ⁻ was also prepared according to the foregoing procedure for unlabeled N₅ ⁺AsF₆ ⁻, except for using a mixture of HN₃ that was N-labeled in either the Nα or N_({overscore (γ)}) position.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiments of the invention disclosed are well calculated to fulfill the objectives stated, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the spirit thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A process for producing pentanitrogen (1+) cations comprising the step of: a) reacting N₂F⁺+HN₃ to yield N₅ ⁺+HF.
 2. The process of claim 1 wherein said N₅ ⁺ has the following C2_(v) structure:


3. The process of claim 1 wherein at least step a) of said reaction is carried out at a temperature of between about −80° C. to 25° C.
 4. The process of claim 1 wherein said reaction is carried out below atmospheric pressure.
 5. A propulsion composition comprising a compound made according to the process of claim
 1. 6. An explosive composition comprising a compound made according to the process of claim
 1. 7. The process of claim 1 wherein at least one N atom of the N₅ ⁺ cation is an N isotope other than ¹⁴N.
 8. The process of claim 8 wherein said isotope is ¹⁵N.
 9. A process for producing a pentanitrogen (1⁺) salt comprising the steps of: a) reacting N₂F⁺+NH₃ to yield N₅ ⁺+HF; and b) reacting the N₅ ⁺ with at least one anion to form an N₅ ⁺ based salt.
 10. The process of claim 9 wherein said at least one anion is selected from the group consisting of AsF₆ ⁻, SbF₆ ⁻ and mixtures thereof.
 11. The process of claim 9 wherein said N₅ ⁺ has the following C_(2v) structure:


12. The process of claim 9 wherein at least step a) of said reaction is carried out at a temperature of between about −80° C. to 25° C.
 13. The process of claim 9 wherein said reaction is carried out below atmospheric pressure.
 14. The process of claim 9 wherein at least one N atom of the N₅ ⁺ cation is an N isotope other than ¹⁴N.
 15. The process of claim 14 wherein said isotope is ¹⁵N.
 16. A propulsion composition comprising a compound made according to the process of claim
 9. 17. An explosive composition comprising a compound made according to the process of claim
 9. 18. A stable, homoleptic, catenated polynitrogen cation having an N₅ ⁺ structure.
 19. The N₅ ⁺ polynitrogen cation of claim 18 wherein said cation is reacted with an anion selected from the group consisting of AsF₆ ⁻, SbF₆ ⁻ and mixtures thereof.
 20. A composition comprising a compound based on one or more N₅ ⁺ cations.
 21. The composition of claim 20 wherein said composition is a propulsion composition.
 22. The composition of claim 20 wherein said composition is an explosive composition. 